The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1887-11-02
A Cursory Notice Of the Report Of the
Grand Jury.
The grand jury's report published

The grand jury report puDlSled
elsewhere is valuable document on
account OF the fund Of information
given and thoughtful recommends
tlons therein contained. These last
address themselves to our Legislative
officials and will, no doubt, receive
their careful attention. The lack Of
space prevents our here giving other
than brief opinionative notice Of the
leading points in the report.
The present system of caring for the
poor OF the county is deprecated, and
the recommendation made that the
property be sold and a smaller place
purchase nearer town. In place Of
the former custom of sharing out ra-
tions, it is suggested that common
mess hall be established and cook
hired. * We heartily agree
with the grand jury in this matter.
Only the most inirm and poverty
stricken should be admitted to the
bounty Of the county, and then, when
they are adjudged objects Of charity,
they should receive the attention their
necessities demand. The practice Of
admitting inmates to the poor farm,
that is, persons inirm with age or dis
ease, and then rationing them on the
coarsest food such as bread and bacon
is inhuman to say the least. Greater
caution should be used in admitting
paupers in the Poor House and when
there, the food and attention required
by their condition should be given
them.
We note with pleasure the favora-
bic report made of the Offices of the
sheriff, clerk of court, probate judge,
and county commissioners, and the
condition of the auditors Office so far
as the present auditor is concerned.
The grand jury, in calling attention
to the constable work OF the town Trial
Justice has brought before the people
q very important matter. This work,
By statute, is dore by the sheriff of
the county who charges tie usual
sherif's fees which is largely in excess
of the legal charges of trial justice
constables. In other counties this
question has been agitated, and in
Sumter the county commissioners have
been advised by the wiitten opinion of
their legal adviser, which We have Ca
pied in this paper, that sberifs acting
in the place of constables for trial JUS
tices, are entitled to only constable
fees. We do not think, however, that
any legislation is needed as the law as
It stands is sufficient if properly under
stood and administered.
The grand jury are correct for the
most part in their conclusions about
the public schools. It is sad truth
that the free school system OF this
county has heretofore been COM
plese farce; of no good to either teach
srs or pupils, and the sum of $1,000
or more has been yearly throxn away
in Clarendon. The great and para
mont reason of this, in our opinion,
has been the reckless non-attention to
their duties by the trustees and also
the Indifference of the school commits
sioners. It is very gratifying, howev-
er, TO see the interest lately manifest
ed in the public schools, and We may
stil hope that they will be, by better
management, a great benefit to the
country. There is great deal to say
on this subject, and likely We will
again refer to if. We will state one
thing, and that is. that no benefit viii
ever be derived from the free schools
By a reduction of teachers salaries.
This, in our judgment, with the en-
ployment of too many teachers, has
been the great drawback. Let the
trustees see that educated teachers
and none other are employed, and in
order to make the best talent ava;la-
bic good salaries should be given. We
will add further that only first grade
teachers ought to be employed; and
in the next place only a limited num-
Der for every district. But more anon.
Now as to that part of tie grand
iury's report which refers personally
to the school commissioner, ex-auditor,
and the present treasurer, not any
thing We could say would do any good,
and anything said would be out OF
place. What is reported is addressed
mainly to The solicitor, and ifhe thinks
the subject matter is SO serious as to
require his Judicial attention, no doubt
he will give it the proper notice. But
although the reptrsS presents some
disagreeable facts, we cannot see that
any steps taken by the solicitor
can improve matters. In fsct, what
is charged in the report is rather cler-
ical than criminal, and SO general that
We Go not see anything for the solici-
tor to do.
In the concluding part OF their re-
port the grand jury, very truthfully
represents the financial condition cf
the county as in a most embarrassed
state. Yet we are constrained to think
there is better day. The great diff
fculty with US bas been to pay the
large bonded debt which at one time
aoreoafed over $4,000. and q one